The Most Perfect Thing About Netflix’s The Rip Is Casting This Action Icon As Ben Affleck’s Brother

Warning: Spoilers for Netflix’s The Rip belowThe Rip cast action icon Scott Adkins as Ben Affleck’s brother, paying off a long-running gag from the actor’s career. Scott Adkins’ action movies feel like a throwback to the mid-budget actioners the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme used to front during the 1980s or 1990s.

Adkins is best known for the Undisputed movie franchise and his scene-stealing turn as Killa Harkan in John Wick: Chapter 4. When not leading his own action flicks, Adkins has popped up in lots of mainstream fare, including Netflix’s Day Shift and Doctor Strange. His most recent film is the Ben Affleck & Matt Damon movie The Rip.

The Rip Cast Action Star Scott Adkins As Ben Affleck’s Brother

Scott Adkins looking intense as Del Byrne in The Rip.

Adkins doesn’t have that many scenes in The Rip, but he still plays a key role. Adkins plays the uptight FBI Agent Del Byrne, brother of Ben Affleck’s hotheaded protagonist JD. This fact isn’t immediately made clear until the two exchange harsh words during an interrogation in the movie’s opening scenes and come to blows.

Scott Adkins previously appeared with Matt Damon in 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum.

While this initially appears to be a tongue-in-cheek cameo playing off Adkins’ famous resemblance to Affleck, The Rip gives Del a bigger role to play in the finale. It must also be said that Affleck and Adkins have quite good chemistry together, making their handful of scenes together a treat.

Scott Adkins’ Resemblance To Ben Affleck Has Been A Running Gag Throughout His Career

Ben Affleck's Byrne pushing Scott Adkins' Del into a desk for a fight in The Rip — Ben Affleck’s Byrne pushing Scott Adkins’ Del into a desk for a fight in The Rip

Pretty much since the start of Adkin’s career, critics and audiences have been joking about his resemblance to Affleck. They’re not exactly twins, but in terms of facial features and build, the similarities are definitely there. This even became a gag in the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy The Brothers Grimsby, where Adkins played an assassin.

At the climax of their fight, Cohen dubs Adkins’ character “the Ukrainian Ben Affleck” before shooting him. A similar gag made its way into Adkins’ Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday, where his character Fallon is labeled a “melted Ben Affleck.” The line became so popular that it even made its way into the 2022 sequel’s trailer.

Scott Adkins Auditioned For Batman Vs Superman

Ben Affleck in his superhero costume about to get attacked by Doomsday in Batman v Superman

Adkins has dipped his toes in superhero waters, having doubled for Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and playing a henchman in Doctor Strange. Prior to Ben Affleck being cast in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Adkins also auditioned for the Bruce Wayne/Batman role himself, with his audition tape eventually making its way online.

Since he was up against huge names like Josh Brolin and Affleck for the role, he didn’t really stand much of a chance. But still, that’s another link in the Affleck/Adkins chain that has finally paid off with The Rip. The next logical step would be an action/comedy where they play bickering brothers for the entire runtime.